Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (November 16 - November 30)

The final chapters of fall migration on the Ridge began with south winds on November 16 with strong south winds and minimal raptor migrants, aside from a few BALD EAGLE (5) and RED-TAILED HAWK (7). The following day (November 17) brought a brief but strong morning pulse of BALD EAGLES (34) and a few GOLDEN EAGLES (7) mixing in; however, this momentum dramatically tapered off by noon. The day count total pushed the November Golden Eagle monthly total into the 2nd highest November total ever recorded at HRBO (and 3rd highest Golden Eagle season total ever!).

 

GOLDEN EAGLE passing along the Ridge on November 15 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

 

November 18 finally brought the deeply coveted late season northwest winds! BALD EAGLES (166) and GOLDEN EAGLES (17) were moving in the first hours following sunrise, as the count hit 100 Bald Eagles almost exactly at the noon hour! Large groups of eagles continued to pool up on the shore, with anywhere between 20-30 kettling in large groups. The large eagles took their time to slowly work down the shore. The large Golden Eagle flight pushed the November monthly total into a new November record (153 - Previous November Golden Eagle high count: 150). One of the highlights on the day included a very late migrant BROAD-WINGED HAWK slowly passing down the shore mixed in with other buteos, initially spotted by former long-time HRBO count interpreter Erik Bruhnke around 2:30 PM. This is the latest fall record of Broad-winged Hawk ever recorded at HRBO (Previous late November BWHA record: November 17, 2020)

November 19 shifted to light south winds and a meager dribble of raptor migrants passed along the Ridge. A highlight on the included standing on the count platform with long-time HRBO volunteer and Duluth local, John Edwards, as an adult AMERICAN GOSHAWK slowly worked its way down the west side of the Ridge. The large accipiter briefly stalled out while going down the Ridge, spiraling in several circles for a few minutes, before continuing down the treeline - A fantastic look at a fantastic bird! Days like this on the Ridge can remind you that "good days" are not always about the numbers. Sometimes one great look at a single raptor coming down the Ridge is all it takes to make a day memorable.

November 20 brought more light south winds with a slower flight. There was good COMMON REDPOLL (230) movement down the Ridge, as well as several groups of BOHEMIAN WAXWING (241) all heading southwest. November 21 was a special day on the Ridge as blustery northwest winds churned down onto the lake: A new season total for GOLDEN EAGLE was set as five migrant Goldens passed by. Only eight fall counts have exceeded the 200-mark for Golden Eagle, so to set this new record this fall has been a special milestone to reach.

 

A classic late November day on the Ridge (November 21) as a new season record for GOLDEN EAGLES passed throughout the day (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

November 22 shifted back to moderate southwest winds with very little raptor movement. A single GOLDEN EAGLE passing directly overhead along the Ridge was the main highlight on the day. November 23 brought chilly temps (high 24 F!); however, great blustery northwest winds churned down onto the lake shore throughout the entire count period. Nearly all of the flight throughout the day would pass along the shoreline. A nice late season push of RED-TAILED HAWKS (27) would make a gradual procession south along the lake - pushing the season total over the 5000 mark! A couple of GOLDEN EAGLES and a few ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (3) would pass as well; however, the highlight on the day included a late adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK mixing in with the Red-tails along the lake shore. November records for Red-shoulders are sparse to begin with and generally restricted to the earlier days of the month, making this the latest HRBO fall count record.

 

Northwest winds continued into November 24 with a strong BALD EAGLE (59) flight passing down the shore, beginning in the mid-morning hours and lasting until noon at which point the momentum seemed to taper gradually into the afternoon. Another good push of RED-TAILED HAWKS (17) followed a similar shoreline flight line as yesterday while frosty temps continue into the late season (high of 26 F). A highlight on the day included an adult AMERICAN GOSHAWK rising over the summit in the early morning light while slowly pushing south down the Ridge just above the tree tops. The large accipiter was in no rush, pausing to circling overhead several times while providing excellent views in the crisp early morning air (15 F) before disappearing out of view behind the southwest horizon. 

 

 A shift to southwest winds on November 25 made for a day of nearly all BALD EAGLES (37) while a single young light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED made passage as well. The final raptor migrant would pass around 12:30 PM, with no others for the remainder of the afternoon. Southwest/west winds persisted into the following day (November 26) with heavy morning snow lifting by 10 AM. The first bird on the day being a young GOLDEN EAGLE appearing to the north as it slowly came down the Ridge - taking it's time as snowflakes drifted through the scope view. This is what November hawkwatching on the Ridge is all about! Five more Goldens would make passage throughout the day, all following very similar flightlines while cutting towards the summit from the north and dropping below the Ridge while passing low along the west side. A light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK coming down the lake shore added to a nice day of raptor diversity, while a handful of low BALD EAGLES (5) all seemed to pass low on the far west side, similar to the Goldens.

 

A fresh snowflake falls on optics while hawkwatching on the Ridge on November 26 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

November 27 brought more northwest winds; however, visibility was poor due to light cloud and snow showers. Throughout most the morning, intermittent periods of less than 0.5 mile of visibility would temporarily clear before disappearing again. BALD EAGLES (14) were the primary raptor migrant on the day while a pair of light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS would make passage as well. While it can often diminish overall visibility and detection, it is always a treat from an aesthetic standpoint to  witness late November flights on the Ridge where raptors are passing through a snow-filled sky while standing quietly upon the overlook, wrapped in down and wool, as the sun makes a low arc over the passing hours.

 Frosty conditions while counting from the overlook on November 27 as intermittent snow squalls limited visibility throughout much of the count period (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

November 28 shifted to southwest winds and a nice late season BALD EAGLE (41) came throughout the mid-morning, with nearly 20 passing in the first hour of the count alone; however, tapering off dramatically into the afternoon hours. West winds continued into November 29 with unseasonably warmer temperatures (40 F by afternoon). The sun was shining and warming the earth along the Ridge, with conditions more reminiscent of early October. Two GOLDEN EAGLES appeared over the summit to welcome the day - Always a good sign. BALD EAGLES (47) were moving down the shore with momentum picking up as the morning progressed; however, the overall migration pace was generally slow. The eagles continued to take their time moving down the shore, pooling up together in large groups in no rush to move south, while several more Goldens followed a similar lake shore flight line. One visitor to the overlook managed to get their "lifer" Golden as it came down the shore, while a second followed shortly behind. While counting is the inherent backbone of the migration count, there is a larger element of the hawkwatching community that is emphasized during little moments like this. Being able to step aside from the scope and let a visitor peer through to see their first Golden eagle during a record-breaking season for the species really is what hawkwatching is all about.

 

November 30 brought the final day of the fall migration count and the highlight included a very late migrant TURKEY VULTURE slowly passing down the shore throughout the early afternoon hours! This represents the latest record of this species during the HRBO fall count (previous late record: 11/18/17). A nice push of BALD EAGLES (27) and RED-TAILED HAWKS (10) made up the bulk of the flight on the day; however, it was the company that was the highlight. A crowd of hawkwatchers gathered at the overlook throughout the late morning and enjoyed the warm sun and passage migrants while reflecting on another season on the Ridge gone: Erik Bruhnke, Sarah Wood, Margie Menzies, Dave Carman, John Edwards, Ed Longway, Larry Snyder to name a few.

This is the final day for the HRBO fall migration count. This fall count logged 963 count hours, which represents the highest number of hours ever logged (Previous high being 2011 with 961). Some notable count highlights from this fall include:

- New season high record for GOLDEN EAGLE (265)

- New season high record for BLUE JAYS (78,631)

- New day count high record for RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (10 on September 2)

- New day count high record for SANDHILL CRANE (1,132 on October 7)

- New HRBO October month high total for BROAD-WINGED HAWK (3,505)

- New October month high total for TURKEY VULTURE (1,710)

- Tying the second highest day count high record for PEREGRINE FALCON (25 on October 3)

- Highest AMERICAN KESTREL season total (1,811) since 2005

- Latest fall record of BROAD-WINGED HAWK (November 18)

- Latest fall record of TURKEY VULTURE (November 30)

Thank you to everyone who has come to the Ridge to count, work, volunteer, visit, or simply discover raptor migration. This Ridge along Lake Superior's north shore is a special place. The bird migration that passed along it each fall is unlike any other place in the world. To those individuals who are fortunate enough to enjoy even a day standing along it, hopefully those memories carry with you for a lifetime.

There is a bittersweet cloud that lingers with the final day of the fall count here. Reflection on the long season that has passed highlights many fond memories while also cementing the realization that migration has finally come to an end. There is a sadness and beauty in watching another migration come and disappear in the darkness of winter. To share it with many people, from HRBO staff, volunteers, and visitors is a gift.

Thank you from the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory count staff for another great fall migration count. This is a special place.  

 

Jess Cosentino

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